We focus on the latest news surrounding data breaches, leaks and hacks plus daily internet security articles.
While hospitals and healthcare trusts have always been prime targets for cybercriminals, the reports of increasing healthcare cyberattacks suggest that the hackers are aiming their attacks at the sector with an alarming and greater frequency. The rising numbers of cyberattacks on healthcare organisations have also widely been associated with Covid-19, in line with the wider increase in cybercrime provoked by the pandemic.
In the face of such a significant cybersecurity threat, it is vital that healthcare organisations play their part to protect the personal information that is in their control. In fact, the law requires that all data controllers take steps to ensure that the personal information they process and hold is safeguarded through appropriate organisational and cybersecurity measures. As a result, where they fail to sufficiently protect information and consequently cause it to be compromised or exposed, they could be responsible for a data protection breach.
We understand how distressing healthcare data breaches can be for those affected, given how sensitive medical information is. Our leading, specialist data protection lawyers are here to advocate on your behalf to ensure you can claim compensation for any harm caused.
Today, 28th January 2022, marks Data Privacy Day 2022. This international day of awareness is about promoting the ideas of best practice and safety for the data protection laws we have in place to be effective.
Now, as expert data privacy compensation lawyers, we can only do so much when it comes to helping with advice about preventing an incident. Our specialism really lies in what people can do after their personal information has been misused or exposed, and there is plenty that we can do for you.
It is important for the team here at Your Lawyers, as a leading firm of privacy compensation solicitors, to discuss people’s legal rights on this Data Privacy Day 2022. There is much that we can do to help people now.
IT system data leaks could lead to huge amounts of incredibly personal and sensitive information being leaked or exposed. Victims could be eligible to claim data breach compensation now on a No Win, No Fee basis.
We see these kinds of errors happening all the time, and it is why we represent thousands of people for cases. We are entitled – by law – to protection and safeguarding when it comes to personal information. If this is ever abused or neglected, victims have rights.
As leading lawyers, our job is to make sure that the victims can access the justice that they deserve.
In accordance with the GDPR, the General Data Protection Regulation, UK businesses and organisations have a variety of obligations they must abide by to ensure they process and store personal information appropriately. However, the nature of the business world can often mean that companies do not have sole responsibility for their data. Relationships with external partners and contractors can mean that outsiders are also granted access to private information. Where these external companies or individuals fail to protect this personal data, third-party security breaches can occur.
Many businesses are still struggling to catch up with their legal responsibilities and to update their own data protection policies, but that does not mean they can ignore the policies of their partners. In fact, it is essential that data protection is a priority in any business relationship, and companies must consider how well their partners can protect personal data before disclosing it to them.
If you have been affected by a data breach, you could be eligible to claim compensation for the harm caused, even if it was provoked by the errors of a third party. Anyone who is considering a claim can come to us for free, no-obligation advice on their case.
Data exposure can cause severe stress and anxiety to those affected, and it can also have a material impact. Many people may not be aware of just how close the cause-and-effect relationship between data breaches and online fraud can be. In fact, there are fraudsters stealing millions every year with the help of stolen information.
Due to the developments of the digital age, technology can now provide a means for fraudsters to expand their practices and develop more sophisticated ways of stealing from victims. Their greatest asset is arguably the wealth of data stores kept by many modern businesses, who take extensive personal details from their employees and customers. If the security of this information becomes compromised in any way, it could equip fraudsters with personal details that allow them to easily and effectively target their victims.
Your Lawyers, as leading, specialist Data Leak Lawyers, has represented many clients who have fallen victim to fraud in the wake of data breaches. If you have been impacted in this way, you may be eligible to claim compensation from those who exposed your information to misuse. Simply contact our team for more information on your potential claim.
Leading Data and Privacy Law firm Your Lawyers have been concerned to learn of an investigation into plans to sell Covid test samples for medical research.
The news was broken in November 2021, and reportedly involves Cignpost Diagnostics, trading as ExpressTest, who are understood to have conducted almost three million tests. It has been suggested that there are plans by the company to analyse samples from swabs and sell data to third parties, according to inews.
The private company is an approved provider of testing, and it has been reported that the company is now being investigated by the UK’s data regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). There was understood to be a tick box as part of the purchasing process for the test that formed as part of a large privacy policy with links to a research programme. This is understood to have since been removed and appears to be the matter at the centre of the investigation.
The recently reportedly Acorn Stairlifts cyberattack appears to have been an attempt to break into the company’s systems using malware, media reports confirm.
It is not yet known as to whether any information has been exposed or stolen, but the systems that were affected are understood to be back working again.
This is yet another cyberattack that has caused huge disruption, which is a growing trend and has been especially prevalent during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
There has been a Wealden Council data breach incident that is understood to have allowed a resident to access the private and personal information of other people.
Due to what appears to be an access error, some particularly personal and sensitive information has ended up exposed. The council has apologised for the incident but, for those affected, the damage may already have been done.
Your Lawyers, as leading Data Leak Lawyers, see these kinds of events all the time, and we are more than used to representing the victims for compensation cases.
Data breaches can come with a range of different security risks, some of which can make victims vulnerable to financial loss. When a data breach exposes customer billing information, this risk can be even more pronounced, as the details could give cybercriminals direct access to credit cards or bank accounts.
As such, it is highly important that companies store customer payment information securely, and only retain details where absolutely necessary, or where the customer has given express permission for the information to be recorded. If they fail in any of these duties, they could be at fault should an unauthorised third-party gain access to this information.
If you have had any payment information exposed in a data breach, you will probably know how stressful it can be to have the threat of financial crime looming over you. While it can be hard to trace the perpetrators of online theft and fraud, it can be less difficult to punish the data controller responsible for exposing your information. A data breach claim can give victims the opportunity to see that justice is done.
Following a cyberattack that took place in summer 2021 that affected IT provider Cantium, it has been reported that data leaked from Kent schools has now reportedly landed on the dark web.
If this is the case, there could be people whose personal and sensitive information is now in the hands of criminals and fraudsters who could use it to try to commit fraud and theft. Victims of the data breach, whoever they may be, will need to be very careful and vigilant, and steps will need to be taken to protect anyone that could be affected.
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